How Abrar Ahmed’s Bold Challenge Riled up Virat Kohli

For the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed fulfilled a lifelong dream by bowling to Virat Kohli during the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai. Although Pakistan lost by six wickets, Abrar delivered a strong performance, taking 1-28 in his 10 overs and dismissing Shubman Gill. He later revealed that he “teased” Kohli by asking him to hit a six, but the Indian star remained composed. After the match, Kohli’s two-word message, “Well bowled”, made Abrar’s day, as he had idolized him since his youth. He said:

My childhood dream of bowling to Kohli has come true in Dubai. It was a great challenge and I took the liberty of teasing him, asking him to hit me a six, but he never got angry. Kohli is a great batter, we all know that. But he is a great human being too. He said, “well bowled” after the match, and that made my day. I have grown up idolizing Kohli and used to tell Under-19 players that one day I will bowl to him.

Abrar also praised Kohli’s exceptional fitness and running between the wickets, calling it “eye-catching”. His celebration after dismissing Gill, which involved a flick of the eyes, gained attention online, though he clarified that it was not meant to offend anyone. Despite his strong showing, Pakistan had a disappointing tournament, getting eliminated in the group stage along with Bangladesh.

India, meanwhile, advanced to the final, where they aim to create history against New Zealand. Other key stories around the Champions Trophy include concerns about India’s performance from former England captain Nasser Hussain and speculation about Rohit Sharma’s future, which could be decided based on the final’s outcome.